Spotted Sandpiper chicks and its reflection – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Yesterday morning the first birds I spotted in the high country of the Wasatch Mountains were two tiny, butt bouncing Spotted Sandpiper chicks foraging on their own. The adult, presumably a male since the males of this species incubate and raise the young most of the time, was nearby giving the one note call I hear them make while they are keeping an eye on their chicks.
Spotted Sandpipers bounce their bottoms all the time, I’d almost bet these chicks hatch from their eggs while bouncing their cute little butts up and down.
I’d almost given up hope for seeing Spotted Sandpiper chicks at this location. We’d had a late cold snap for several days earlier in the breeding season and I was concerned that it had somehow affected the nesting success of the pair I knew was in the area. After seeing these chicks yesterday these little balls of fluff put those concerns to rest.
Spotted Sandpiper chick at the water’s edge – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 500, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
For a bit the floofy Spotted Sandpiper chicks foraged on a small sandbar that became exposed when the water level dropped in the creek after spring runoff. They usually move quickly and at times can be a challenge to track with a long lens but they are so much fun to watch that the challenges seem minor compared to the joy that they bring to me.
Spotted Sandpiper chick in an alpine creek – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 500, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The adult Spotted Sandpiper seemed to be calling the chicks to the other side of the creek and away from the small sandbar and I had truly hoped to get photos of the young sandpipers swimming the creek. Well they did swim across the creek but both of them had their backs to me as they paddled through the water. Close to the water’s edge both chicks leapt towards the banks of the creek with their little wings flapping wildly. They don’t have their flying abilities down pat yet however they will be flying on those wings soon.
Life is good. Stay safe.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Spotted Sandpiper photos plus facts and information about this species.
By the way, there was a bit of excitement yesterday other than seeing birds. A man named Troy had a bicycle accident in an area where cell signals are virtually non-existent and the friend he was riding with had said another woman had come by earlier who said she would drive until she got a signal for help but that it had been a while. The friend said he thought both of Troy’s arms were broken in the accident and that he couldn’t move him. Troy was laying on the shoulder of a very narrow section of the road.
I’d remembered reading that even when cell signals are spotty that a person can still dial 911. So even though I wasn’t showing any bars on my phone I called 911 and I actually got a voice on the other end. That call dropped out before I could give the dispatcher all the info they needed so I tried again and reached another dispatcher who was able to get most of the information needed from me before that call also dropped. In a few minutes that dispatcher called back and let me know that help was on the way.
A while later I watched as a police pickup followed by a fire department pickup drove past with their lights flashing to give Troy (didn’t get his last name from his friend) the assistance he so badly needed. The ambulance soon arrived as well. I felt relief and I hope that Troy is recovering today. This photo is of the police and fire department/rescue squad pickups, I couldn’t see the ambulance from this point of view.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Sandpiper chick photos taken in the wild before. Great shots. I love the chick’s reflection in the water in the first pic. Thanks Mia.
As for your timely assistance in finding help for the injured cyclist…remember we are not punished for all good deeds. I can think of one guy who’s grateful as hell for your help.
Found a nice video of the bouncing butts! Soooo cute! I’ve heard of the tail wagging the dog, but never of the butt bouncing the bird. 😂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCXuG57vV54
Fuzzy floofers!!! 😍😍😍 So glad you were there for the cyclists! You’re a “good egg,” Mia. 🙂
For some reason, I haven’t seen your posts lately, but this is a good one. I love baby birds and baby animals. Your little fuzzballs are just so cute. Glad you discovered them. I’m watching a lot of documentaries with my brother who has Alzheimer’s and all of the babies are just too cute. Also learning a lot about the families. I didn’t realize how many males are the ones who are responsible for hatching and caring for the babies. So your story just fit right in with the things I have been learning! Be safe!
Very cute, I forgot about their bouncing bottoms. Glad that Troy got the help he needed.
Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! They are so adorable! I can just imagine their bouncing butts! Kudos to getting help to Troy. I’ve been caught out on backroads when my truck has died and had to walk out to where there was cell service a couple of times. Once in Escalante wilderness. So far always someone has come to help me!
I saw my first sandpiper chick in the Cottonwood canyons yesterday. They are so cute the way they bounce.
Bike accidents are no fun! I hope Troy is on the mend. I always worry when I am out alone in the backwoods. Fortunately the backwoods are crowded these days!
Those chicks are so darn cute. Great photos. I’m sure Troy & his friend are grateful to you for calling 911 & getting help. Pat yourself on the back for remembering about 911 calls when cell signals are non-existent.